Belgium's Colruyt Group Trials Self-Scan Payment App

Belgian-based Colruyt Group has introduced a new self-scan app that enables customers to scan and pay for their purchases with their smartphones in selected Spar outlets.

The 'Scan.Pay.Go.' app will be introduced in four Spar stores from 4 June and rolled out alongside classic checkouts.

Scan.Pay.Go.

Once customers log into the app using their Xtra account – a 'smart' customer card that can be used in ten Colruyt Group store formats and online – they scan the items in their basket or cart.

Unpacked products, such as fresh produce, can be labelled using the digital scales in store. Customers can keep track of the total cost of their purchases throughout the trip. Once their shopping is completed, they pay with an online banking or Bancontact app.

Once the payment has gone through, customers will receive a QR code, which can be used to leave the shop.

Extra Service

Colruyt Group worked with several partners, such as American firm FutureProof Retail, to develop the technology.

"It is an extra service we offer to meet the changing habits of some of our customers. Some customers want to shop as quickly as possible. From now on, they can choose between two systems to pay. If a customer chooses 'no queue for me', Scan. Pay. Go. is the perfect solution."

Pilot Stores

The app is currently available at Spar Wespelaar. It will be rolled out to Spar Kalken on 17 June, and Spar Vielsalm and Sint-Genesius-Rode on 25 June. Local store format OKay will also launch the technology in trial stores shortly, the company said. After an initial test phase of six months, a wider roll-out will be considered.